Valencia

Maduro Weighing Up Valencia Options

Hedwiges Maduro admits that he may have to leave Valencia in January after seeing his chances limited under Unai Emery. He also thinks that going to the Olympic Games was a mistake.

24 Nov 2008 12:36:38

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Hedwiges Maduro - Ajax

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The 23-year-old Netherlands international has struggled to earn a place in los che's team this season and after playing in the UEFA Cup, he made his first league appearance at the weekend.

After being signed by Ronald Koeman last term, Maduro has yet to impress Emery and is hoping that he can prove himself to the new trainer before the Christmas break.

"I only played for ten minutes against Sevilla, but at least it was a chance for me. I do not think that I could show a lot but I did what I could," he told AS after playing at the weekend.

"Little-by-little things will improve with more games and at the moment I am just having to be content with being named in the squad each week.

"Things are improving because for the first few weeks I did not play at all, but lately that has changed. My problems began when I played in the Olympic Games, which caused me to lose pre-season."

Instead of reporting for pre-season training, Maduro jumped at the chance to represent his country at the Olmypic Games and he now thinks that has cost him his place at Valencia.

"Maybe I should not have gone because the new coach began work without me," he continued. "If I do not play then I could well go to another club, but at the moment my focus is here and we will see what happens throughout December.

"I do not know what I will do in January, because the only thing I want to do is play and when the winter market comes along we shall see.

"But I will still have four years left on my contract at the end of this season and at 23 my dream is to stay and be a success here.

Maduro has competition for his preferred defensive midfield place in the team after David Albelda was resinstalled to the set-up along with Carlos marchena.

"I played out on the wing in one UEFA Cup game and I told the coach that I did not enjoy it. I did play a few times there for Ajax, but in truth I have never been a winger," he added.

"It is clear that the position where Carlos and David play is my preferred one."

Lucas Brown, Goal.com